Focus on heating costs: What tenants need to know about district heating!

Focus on heating costs: What tenants need to know about district heating!

On November 9th, 2025 there will be some interesting information on the topic of heating supply in Northern Germany on the agenda. A concrete example shows how the transfer of heating costs and the associated contractual arrangements can have a concrete impact.

As is common in most rental apartments, the type of heating in a current real estate listing is also specified as central heating. This is supplied by district heating, which is not produced and delivered by the owner but by a third party. Tenants therefore have to be prepared for heating costs to be billed via the utility bill. It is important to know that landlords can pass on the costs of fuel and additional heating costs, such as electricity and maintenance, to tenants, although these agreements are often made unilaterally without the tenants having to agree how Tenancy law encyclopedia explained.

Special regulations for district heating

Another point that tenants are often not aware of is the cost structure of district heating. This is typically a more expensive heating option compared to traditional central heating. The additional costs come from business profits and fuel price increases, resulting in a higher financial burden. In addition, the Heating Cost Ordinance provides for different cost categories, which can either be consumption-dependent or consumption-independent. Tenants should therefore always pay close attention to their bills Tenancy law encyclopedia points out.

A particularly interesting aspect are the current BGH rulings, which decide that proximity to a heat supply or an extensive pipe network cannot generally speak for or against a rent increase. It is therefore important to know the exact contract structure, as there can be contracts in which the costs are passed on directly to the tenants, as well as those in which tenants themselves conclude a contract with the heat supplier and pay directly to them.

Transparency in billing

A smooth process when billing heating costs also requires that these are understandable for the tenant. If the district heating bill is not generally understandable, the billing balance does not have to be due. It is important to act quickly if anything is unclear and possibly seek legal advice, especially when it comes to investment costs and their ability to be allocated.

Overall, the current real estate offering shows that tenants should be well informed before entering into a new tenancy. Even if these issues are often not in the foreground, a good hand in choosing an apartment and a keen eye on the heating bill can quickly lead to financial advantages. Living happiness In this case, provides very valuable information that affects not only the tenants, but also the property owners. Finally, it is clear that responsibility for correct and transparent billing lies on both the tenant and the landlord side.